A new study found a combination therapy of Serzone and psychotherapy to be highly effective in treating chronic forms of major depression, with an 85-percent response rate. The treatment approach produced significant improvement in patients sooner than psychotherapy alone, and with fewer side effects.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that depressed heart failure patients are at a higher risk of dying and experience more cardiovascular complications. The research proposes a mechanism by which depression harms the heart, including diminished heart rate variability and stickier platelets that increase blood clotting
A study by UF/Cincinnati psychiatrists found that internet addicts struggle with mental illnesses like manic depression and anxiety disorders. On average, each participant had five other major psychiatric problems.
A new study finds that communication skills training can help doctors recognize patients with depression, a condition often missed at the primary care level. The training involves asking about psychosocial issues, using open-ended questions, and allowing more time for patients to talk.
A study found that physicians who recognized depression asked twice as many questions and spent more time on affective focus with patients. This suggests that better communication skills can help primary care physicians identify depression in their patients.
A study found that people with Alzheimer's disease were 50% more likely to have depression symptoms than those without the disease. Depression symptoms such as lack of interest and loss of energy were three times more common in those who later developed Alzheimer's.
A recent study by Reg A. Williams highlights the significant economic impact of depression in the workplace, citing an estimated total cost of up to $44 billion. The study also identifies key risk factors for depression, including stress, negative changes in personal life, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
Depression affects not only individuals but also their intimate relationships. This guide provides valuable coping strategies to maintain connections during depression. It answers questions from patients and partners, offering expertise from seven authorities on managing depression-related intimacy problems.
Recent studies have found that high cortisol levels might be a cause of depression, potentially leading to new antidepressant drug strategies. Cortisol-lowering drugs have shown promise in reducing depressive symptoms, especially in patients with high cortisol levels.
Researchers at Harborview Medical Center are exploring a new approach to treat depression by introducing extra copies of the gene for 5-HT1b receptors into serotonin neurons. Preliminary results suggest that this technique may allow for faster and more effective treatment of depression.
A University of Michigan study found that a low sense of belonging is a stronger predictor of major depression than other factors. The research analyzed data from 31 clients with depression and 379 community college students, concluding that feeling connected to others is crucial in overcoming depression.
A twin study found that genetic factors contribute more to women's depression, even in mild cases. The research suggests that genes, not family environment, are the primary cause of depression in women.
A five-year study of female monkeys will examine how chronic, low-level stress affects brain function and may lead to depression. The research aims to understand why some individuals are more susceptible to depression than others and may provide insights into treating depression in humans.
A new study by researchers from the University of Washington reveals that depression significantly impairs heart disease patients' ability to work and perform daily activities. Patients with both major and minor depression were found to function less well than nondepressed patients, reporting more heart disease symptoms.
Researchers found that women with a history of depression had smaller hippocampal volumes than those who never had been depressed. This is significant because the hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory. Treatment not only prevents suffering but may also limit long-term damage to the brain.
A combination of nefazodone and psychotherapy is more effective than either medication or therapy alone in treating chronic depression, with an 85% response rate. The study also found significant improvement in insomnia and early symptom reduction.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that depressed older women are twice as likely to experience spinal fractures and have a 30% greater risk of non-spinal fractures compared to non-depressed women. The more symptoms of depression, the higher the risk of fracture.
Research finds depression after a heart attack is a key risk factor for cardiac causes in both women and men, with similar impact on survival. Despite the higher prevalence of depression among women, they did not die at significantly higher rates than depressed men.
A national survey of family physicians, general internists, and obstetrician-gynecologists found that more than 90% are confident in diagnosing depression. Despite improvements, there is still room for growth in treating depression with high-quality care.
Researchers found that heart patients with high levels of social support show fewer symptoms of depression, while those with low social support tend to have higher levels of depression. Interventions that decrease hostility and increase social support may also benefit heart disease patients.
A new study shows sertraline safely prevents depression recurrence in severe chronic sufferers. The drug extends remission time and protects against recurrence for patients with disabling psychological and social problems.
Research finds that people with inherited depression have fewer glia cells in the brain's subgenual prefrontal cortex, a region involved in stress responses. This difference is not seen in those without a family history of depression.
The Massachusetts General Hospital is leading a five-year, $20 million research study to improve the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. The study aims to evaluate existing treatment protocols and test new medications for the condition.
A new study suggests that depression is a fluid disease requiring tracking over time for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Researchers found that physicians more frequently detected depression when they knew their patients well, but struggled to distinguish it from minimal impairment.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with depression are 1.9 times more likely to die than those without depression, with cardiovascular disease being the strongest predictor. The study highlights the importance of screening for depression in medical inpatients and improving their care to mitigate mortality risks.
A Johns Hopkins study has found that depression is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in men, with those experiencing clinical depression twice as likely to develop the condition. Symptoms of CAD appeared on average 15 years after the first episode of depression.
Researchers discovered lithium's dual anti-manic/anti-depressive effect by finding it stabilizes glutamate levels in mice brains, bringing them within a stable zone. This results in controlling both extremes of mania and depression in bipolar disorder patients.
A study found that only 44% of depressed heart failure patients aged 60+ received treatment for depression. Social support was the only factor predicting faster time to remission.
A third of patients with major depression remain undetected by primary care physicians for up to a year, leading to grave consequences. Patients who went undiagnosed reported nine times more role limitation from emotional problems than community residents without depression.
Researchers found that daily smokers have twice the risk for major depression compared to occasional smokers. The study also revealed that depression may lead to increased smoking, particularly among young adults.
Researchers found a unique link between brain lesions, depression, and heart disease in elderly patients. Vascular depression, caused by narrowing of small blood vessels, is responsible for 30-40% of all depression in people over 65.
Researchers at UC Irvine have identified a gene associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness. The gene encodes a potassium ion channel protein that controls electrical activity in nerves, and its altered function may contribute to brain behavior changes.
Researchers at UPMC Health System found abnormally high metabolism in the amygdala, a small area of the brain, may cause many symptoms of depression. The study's findings may lead to more effective antidepressant and mood stabilizing treatments for nearly 19 million people affected by these disorders.
Researchers have found a possible genetic cause of bipolar affective disorder, linking it to the serotonin transporter gene. The study suggests that variations in this gene may lead to unstable moods and increased susceptibility to the illness.
Patients with a history of depression often deny or attribute early warning signs, such as fatigue and stress, to external factors. Early intervention is crucial to prevent or minimize relapse, and recognizing these signs can provide control over emerging depressions.
A recent study found that treating depression in diabetic patients can lead to improved blood glucose control. Researchers discovered that as depression improved, glucose levels also decreased. The study showed that nearly 60% of depressed patients experienced significant improvement after treatment.
A study by Penn researchers found that minor depression in elderly populations is linked to differences in brain structure, specifically smaller prefrontal lobe volume. This finding has important neurobiologic implications for minor depression and may inform the development of new treatments.
Scientists found that both drugs stimulate release of glutamate, triggering brain cell activity to control mood swings in bipolar disorder. This additive effect may explain the clinical observation that using two drugs together produces better results.
A prospective study found that people who have suffered major depression may have up to a four-fold increased risk for heart attack. Researchers suggest treating the depression might be crucial not only for quality of life but also for heart health, as it was depression itself causing the risk, not medications.
A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that depression increases a woman's risk for broken bones, particularly hip fractures. Women with major depression had significantly lower bone mineral density compared to their age-matched controls.